All-Ireland League round-up: The Blackrock supporters who stayed away from Stradbrook - there were more Trinity folk in the sparse crowd - mainly due to the novelty of Leinster at the RDS will be a long time waiting to witness a try of individual brilliance equal to Gary Brown's effort on Saturday.
Excluded from Michael Cheika's European Cup squad, with the less than impressive Johnny Hepworth getting the nod, Brown reminded everyone of his ability in a welcome return to club rugby and his old position of outside centre.
Living off scraps - all a speed merchant requires - early in the second-half Brown took possession in his 22, feigned to go outside before accelerating through a chink in the students' defence. He then chipped three covering defenders before winning the race to gather and slide over beside the posts.
The game's outstanding moment cancelled out a first-half try from Trinity winger Phil Howard and the points seemed secure when Blackrock's new fullback Fionn Carr crossed for a second try to once again prove there is no substitute for pace.
However, with guaranteed possession supplied by Marc Warburton out of touch, allied by Blackrock indiscipline at the breakdown, Ulster under-21 outhalf Johnny Watt nudged Trinity a point clear with a fourth penalty in the 78th minute of the game.
'Rock rolled the dice one last time and under pressure it was the students' turn to infringe at ruck time, allowing outhalf Paddy O'Toole the opportunity to close out this absorbing contest from in front of the post. He shrugged off an injury to ensure a 21-19 victory.
Munster's Holy Trinity - Shannon, Cork Constitution and Garryowen - join Blackrock on two wins from two but it was Division Two champions UL Bohemians who supplied the first surprise of the season with a one-point victory and a bonus point at Castle Avenue.
Clontarf have only themselves to blame as Martin McPhail's late try overturned comfortable 16-0 and 23-14 leads.
A familiar pattern is already developing with Shannon top of the pile despite a spirited Galwegians performance at Thomond Park, while Garryowen accounted for St Mary's in Dooradoyle.
The Ulster clubs are already off the pace after Ballymena suffered their second defeat against Buccaneers, while Dungannon failed to stay with a rejuvenated Cork Con at Temple Hill. Last year's finalists Belfast Harlequins did get their campaign back on track with a comprehensive victory over Carlow thanks to the boot of Michael Glancy.
And yesterday afternoon Lansdowne defeated UCD 25-14 in Division One.
